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New Paper
26-04-2025
- Sport
- New Paper
April 27 Hong Kong (Sha Tin) form analysis
Race 1 (1,800m) Race 1 (1,800m) 2 Beauty Viva had a go at Class 4 last time and was well-supported into favourite. He mapped against the race shape but still ran on well into fifth. He has trialled well. 3 Oriental Smoke will map perfectly from barrier 3 and has been threatening to win since returning to Class 4. He comes out of the same race as Beauty Viva, where he closed off nicely for third. 1 Matsu Victor also comes through that race, finishing a head away in second. With Joao Moreira in the plate, his chances look strong. 5 Volcanic Spark draws perfectly in barrier 4 with James McDonald engaged to ride. Back to 1,800m from 2,000m suits his chances. Race 2 (1,200m) Race 2 (1,200m) 3 Top Throne was a luckless fourth on debut, where he raced wide without cover but showed plenty of promise. He broke through stylishly, looking like a horse going places. 8 Diriya draws perfectly in barrier 1 for his debut and his trials have been encouraging. Zac Purton in the saddle only boosts confidence. 11 Runjeet caught the eye on debut when given a quiet time out the back before closing strongly late. He has trialled well between runs up on the pace. Second-up improvement is expected. 2 Parterre always warrants respect in this class as a three-time winner in the grade. He can go close under Moreira's guidance. Race 3 (1,400m) 1 Super Express remains the one to beat after winning with plenty in hand at this course and distance on debut for the John Size stable, backing up a series of impressive barrier trials. He should only improve with more racing. 5 Monarch County looks to have turned a corner and has improved since stepping up to 1,400m. He broke through stylishly last time and has trialled well between runs. 2 Super Love backed up his maiden win on his second start with a closing third to Crossborderpegasus after being slow away. A promising trial in between suggests he will enjoy the extra ground. 4 Forerunner was drawn wide last start, but his previous two efforts are key - winning over Brilliant Express two starts back before a close second to Magnificent Nine. Race 4 (1,400m) 2 Divano scored an impressive Class 1 victory at this course and distance over Patch Of Theta last time. Drops into Class 2 and carries more weight, but he is a progressive four-year-old who looks to map ideally from barrier 3 and has the services of Purton. 6 Invincible Shield is shooting for a hat-trick after two dominant 1,200m wins in Class 3. This is his first try at 1,400m and first time in Class 2, but he has drawn one. 5 Dancing Code rolled forward and led at a strong tempo last start, before fading late into fourth. His form reads well and barrier 4 ensures the right run again. 4 Young Champion was runner-up to Packing Hermod in the same race as Dancing Code and has improved since the blinkers went on. Race 5 (1,200m) THE CHAIRMAN'S SPRINT PRIZE (G1) 1 Ka Ying Rising is Hong Kong's star galloper and the world's highest-rated sprinter has swept all before him in his past 11 starts, breaking the track record twice in his last three appearances. A slightly different set-up this time with international contenders back in the mix, but as he showed in December, he has their measure. 6 Helios Express has been the bridesmaid in five of his six runs this season - each time behind Ka Ying Rising - and third on the other occasion. If anyone is to get close again, it is him. 2 Satono Reve returns to Sha Tin after finishing third in December's Hong Kong Sprint. He has since landed the Takamatsunomiya Kinen in Japan and comes back to Hong Kong in peak form. 3 Lucky Sweynesse is a 16-time winner who has not been seen since his Sprint Cup victory in April 2024 due to injury. While it is a huge ask to return in a race like this, McDonald rides, which only adds to the fascination. Race 6 (1,200m) 4 Masterofmyuniverse was reluctant to jump, settled last in running before charging home into third after briefly being held up. The hood comes off, he moves into barrier 2 from 11, and Purton is back on. 3 Geneva broke his Class 3 duck impressively last start after a couple of run-on efforts from wide draws since the class rise. 9 Akashvani finds himself in Class 3, but he will appreciate a kinder draw this time after jumping from gates 12 and 14 in both career runs. 5 Super Legends, from barrier 3 and with McDonald aboard, should not be overlooked. Race 7 (1,600m) THE FWD CHAMPIONS MILE (G1) 1 Mr Brightside, Australia's superstar miler with 19 career wins, nine at Group 1 level, brings elite credentials into this race, including a close-up second to Romantic Warrior in the 2023 Cox Plate. Having been the first overseas runner to arrive in Hong Kong, he has had ample time to settle in. He has the form to win this. 2 Voyage Bubble has stamped himself as Hong Kong's premier miler-middle distance horse and sets the benchmark in this field. Drawn out in barrier 10 while some of his key rivals are drawn inside sets things up for a highly intriguing tactical battle. 12 My Wish was a good thing beaten in the Hong Kong Derby, drawing the outside gate, settling last, and unleashing a devastating final 400m sectional to miss by a short-head. While this is a tougher assignment in open company, Mark Newnham's star four-year-old is as genuine as they come. 6 Galaxy Patch has tested patience this term but gets cheekpieces and the tongue tie on for the first time. He is talented, but his racing pattern requires things to go his way in the run. Race 8 (2,000m) THE FWD QEII CUP (G1) 2 Prognosis has finished runner-up in this race the past two years behind Romantic Warrior. With Romantic Warrior absent this year, McDonald now sides with him as he chases a first Group 1 success on his seventh try. His global form stands up, most notably a second to Via Sistina in the 2024 Cox Plate. 11 Liberty Island, Japan's Triple Tiara winner, was wide throughout when eighth to Soul Rush and Romantic Warrior in the Dubai Turf. That was her first run since a strong second to Romantic Warrior in December's Hong Kong Cup. Can improve sharply second-up. 3 Tastiera returns to Sha Tin off the back of a brave third in the same Hong Kong Cup, where she was caught wide early and rolled forward to settle second. That effort sets her up well for this. 5 El Vencedor arrives in career-best form from New Zealand, chasing his fifth win on the bounce after leading and holding off a fast-closing La Crique in back-to-back Bonecrusher Stakes. His on-pace pattern and Purton are positives. Race 9 (1,600m) 10 Family Jewel resumes at a track and distance where he is two from two. With Moreira aboard from a mid-draw, he may not have to settle as far back as he has in the past. 11 Magnificent Nine has had 17 attempts to win in Class 3 for seven placings, but he has been trending upwards this season. He should enjoy a soft run in transit. 6 Star Mac ran a strong third behind Sky Jewellery at this course and distance, which reads well. 14 Good Luck Babe steps back into Class 3 after an all-the-way win over this trip in Class 4. The four-year-old still has more to come. Race 10 (1,400m) 3 Silvery Breeze resumes off a 77-day break following a last-start fall in the home straight. Drawn no lower than gate 11 in three of his five Hong Kong starts, he resumes from an inside draw this time. 7 Stellar Swift is on the seven-day turnaround after closing well for third behind the up-and-comer South Star. Barrier 11 is tricky, but his form is strong. 4 Endeared reunites with Craig Williams, who steered him to victory two starts ago. From a mid-draw, he can settle closer in the run like he did when winning. 5 Eighty Light Years has not won in more than a year but has been showing a return to form of late. Comments courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Comments courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
South China Morning Post
08-03-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Trainers' championship battle between John Size and David Hayes heats up
Australian handlers threaten to separate from the pack in pursuit of premiership glory this season A tense battle for championship glory is developing at the top of the trainers' table, with John Size and David Hayes threatening to separate themselves from the pack this term. No strangers to premiership success, the Australians are tied on 36 wins with 12-time champion Size holding the ascendancy with four more seconds than dual champion Hayes. While Size eyeing a record-extending 13th title is no surprise, the manner in which he has surged into contention has been quite remarkable. The 70-year-old is generally a slow starter, with his gallopers improving with a run or two under their belts, but he was battling in the lower half of the standings with just five wins from the opening three months of the campaign. He has since been on a relentless hot streak, soaring to the title lead after a Sha Tin four-timer on February 23 before trading blows with Hayes in the past three weeks. Hayes has been a more constant presence at the top of this season's standings, with the world's best sprinter, Ka Ying Rising, leading the 62-year-old's charge. Last season's pulsating premiership finale between Francis Lui Kin-wai and Pierre Ng Pang-chi, in which the former won four of the final five races to eclipse his former protégé by a solitary victory, will be hard to beat in terms of a blockbuster finish. However, the race between Size and Hayes is shaping up as a mouth-watering one after 51 of the 88 meetings. As for Sha Tin this Sunday, the handlers don't have their strongest teams engaged but Size could add to his premiership lead. Outstanding last-start winner Brilliant Express, Bundle Award and Sweet Smile will have solid claims for the stable. Hayes will rely on a pair of impressive triallers, Top Throne and Akashvani, overcoming wide draws on their race debuts, while Stellar Swift could be an improver dropping back to Class Four company.
South China Morning Post
31-01-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Hugh Bowman bags brilliant four-timer as Chancheng lands Group Three gamble
Australian celebrates Sha Tin successes aboard Sunstrider, Chancheng Glory, Brilliant Express and Green N White by Jack Dawling on Friday, January 31, 2025 6:49 PM Hugh Bowman celebrates his fourth win of the afternoon at Sha Tin. Photos: Kenneth Chan Hugh Bowman rang in the Year of the Snake in perfect style at Sha Tin on Friday, with Chancheng Glory's Group Three win the highlight of his fantastic four-timer in front of a packed crowd. Bowman celebrated his biggest haul in exactly a year thanks to wins aboard Sunstrider, Chancheng Glory, Brilliant Express and Green N White in consecutive races. 'I had good rides on paper and it's all worked out well,' Bowman said. 'I got into good running positions and when it didn't work out for me early, it worked out late. 'All my rides have shown they were capable and it's nice for it all to happen in one day.' — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) January 31, 2025 Chancheng Glory was by no means disgraced at the top level on his past two starts and relished a step into calmer waters to plunder the Group Three Centenary Vase (1,800m). After Chancheng Glory was brown-lamped from $15 into $7 in betting, Bowman made no mistake finding a prominent position from barrier nine and his mount travelled powerfully turning for home. The five-year-old hit the front alongside the Tony Cruz-trained Winning Dragon 250m out and his stamina came to the fore, with Lui's charge outstaying his main challenger in the closing stages to prevail by three-quarters of a length. 'When he jumped well and travelled, I was always very confident,' Bowman said. 'He was aided by a nice, genuine speed set by Sword Point and his class showed over the final two furlongs. 'I get limited opportunities in these races with the weight conditions but it is what it is. I thought his run last start had a lot of merit against the highest quality of horses so it's nice to see him do that. After the HK$4.2 million contest, Francis Lui Kin-wai confirmed his Group Three winner will target the Group One Hong Kong Gold Cup (2,000m) on February 23. 'He's one of the most honest horses in my stable,' Lui said. 'He's always been a Group Two and Group Three handicap horse, but Group Ones have been a bit too much for him. 'However, he'll go for the Gold Cup next. The 2,000m suits him better than 1,400m in the [Group One Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup] on the same day, so he'll go for that.' Bowman opened his account for the afternoon in the Class Four Good Fortune Handicap (1,600m), spearing $7.6 chance Sunstrider to success from the near the rear of the field. Stepping down to Class Four level for the first time, Sunstrider surged to his first local success at start 10. Brilliant Express delivered Bowman his third success of the meeting, with the $2.1 favourite obliging after showing an impressive turn of foot to fly home from 10th in the straight. The Australian topped off his successful Friday in the Class Two Chinese New Year Cup (1,400m), with the 44-year-old saluting aboard Ricky Yiu Poon-fai's Green N White in a thrilling finish. After settling near the tail of the field, Green N White made smooth headway turning for home before finding traffic at the top of the straight. Switched into the clear before the 200m marker, Green N White responded to Bowman's urgings to spear through a gap and hit the front in the closing stages. Bowman's 507-1 four-timer took him to 37 wins for the season after 42 meetings – 43 behind runaway premiership leader Zac Purton.
